Pallet Storage Sectional Frame Structures

Abstract

This frame structure intended more particularly for the storage of palletized loads comprises uprights of substantially rectangular cross-sectional contour with a waisted or constricted formation centrally of the major faces which constitutes an inner reinforcing rib and consequently an external groove, with spaced perforations formed throughout the height of the upright in the two portions of said major faces which are separated by said groove and also in the minor faces thereof, whereby, when the uprights are disposed with their minor faces parallel to the front and rear faces of the frame structure, and by pairs across said front and rear faces, each pair being interconnected by a cross member and adjacent pairs by longitudinal members, a frame structure comprising two or more rows disposed in the front-to-rear direction can be obtained, each upright being also adapted to receive two longitudinal members at a same level or at different levels in said two portions, said cross members and longitudinal members being formed with end lugs engageable in said perforations.

Description

The present invention relates to sectional frame structures, racks or bins of the type designed for the storage of loads carried by pallets or the like.

Frame structures of this general character comprise as a rule the combination of two series of elements, i.e.:

A SERIES OF LADDERS COMPRISING EACH TWO VERTICAL UPRIGHTS ASSEMBLED BY HORIZONTAL CROSS MEMBERS; AND

A SERIES OF RETILINEAR ELEMENTS ADAPTED TO CONSTITUTE HORIZONTAL LONGITUDINAL MEMBERS ON THE FRONT AND REAR FACES OF A SAME FRAME STRUCTURE, BETWEEN THE UPRIGHTS OF TWO SUCCESSIVE LADDERS.

In fact, these ladders are adapted to be disposed transversely at a relative distance corresponding to the length of said longitudinal members, one of the uprights of each ladder being positioned on the front face of the frame structure, the other on the rear face thereof.

To facilitate assembling operations certain known devices of this character comprise assembling means utilizing anchoring or suspension lugs. These lugs are formed on fastening angle members carried by the ends of said longitudinal members, corresponding perforations being formed in the vertical uprights of the transverse ladders.

Devices of this type are characterized by indisputable advantageous features, notably by the fact that their component elements can be assembled without using screws or bolts. Thus, the level of the various longitudinal members can be modified at will without difficulty for properly supporting the pallets to be stored.

However, devices of this known types are objectionable in that when their component elements are taken down their overall dimensions are relatively considerable, since the uprights of the ladders remain assembled by the cross members interconnecting them. In fact, these uprights and cross members are definitely fastened to each other either by welding or by bolting so as to constitute particularly sturdy and rigid units. On the other hand, this arrangement is also objectionable in that it precludes any possibility of modifying the depth or front-to-rear dimension of the frame structure since the cross members are definitely secured to the uprights of the vertical ladders.

Besides, the rigidity and strength hitherto known devices of this general type is not always sufficient. On the other hand, the magnitude of the loads likely to be supported by a frame structure of this type is limited by the inherent and selected characteristics of the longitudinal members associated therewith. Under these conditions, when assembling such frame structures it is necessary to use longitudinal members having cross-sectional and thickness characteristics consistent with the specific loads to be supported thereby.

It is therefore the essential object of the present invention to provide a novel frame structure capable of eliminating the inconveniences mentioned in the foregoing.

The device of this invention is also characterized by a number of advantageous features in comparison with hitherto known structures of the same character or intended for the same use.

To this end, the present device is characterized essentially in that the cross members provided for interconnecting the vertical uprights consist of elements separate from said uprights and adapted to be assembled therewith in the same fashion as the longitudinal members, i.e., by means of anchoring or suspension lugs.

On the other hand, according to an essential feature characterizing this device, each upright consists of a tubular section of substantially rectangular configuration in cross section, each face of this section being provided with one or a plurality or series of perforations disposed at spaced interval along the full height of the upright for receiving anchoring lugs carried by the ends of said longitudinal members and the ends of said cross members, respectively.

According to an advantageous form of embodiment of this invention each upright comprises centrally of each major face thereof a longitudinal groove forming an inner stiffening rib, whereby the tubular section has substantially the shape of an 8 in cross-section.

In order to afford a clearer understanding of the various features characterizing the frame structure according to this invention a typical form of embodiment and specific application thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the attached drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pallet storage frame structure constructed according to the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one of the uprights on which two longitudinal members and one interconnecting cross member are secured, respectively;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one end of a longitudinal member;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section showing a vertical upright on which two longitudinal members are disposed side by side;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section showing a vertical upright to which an interconnecting cross member is secured;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the engagement of an anchoring lug in a corresponding perforation;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic horizontal section showing a frame structure comprising two storage levels disposed side by side, and

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section showing one of the vertical uprights of a storage level shown in FIG. 7.

The frame structure according to this invention comprises the combination of three series of separate rectilinear elements, i.e.:

a first series of elements 1 adapted to constitute the vertical uprights of a pallet-storage frame structure:

a second series of elements 2 adapted to be used as cross members for interconnecting a pair of uprights 1 disposed on the front and rear faces, respectively, of the frame structure;

finally, a third series of elements 3 adapted to constitute longitudinal members along the front face and the rear face of the frame structure, between adjacent uprights 1 of two successive pairs.

In fact, as shown in FIG. 1, these uprights are adapted to be assembled by pairs by means of cross members 2, one upright of each pair being disposed on the front face of the frame structure, the other on the rear or back face thereof.

The distance contemplated between the uprights of two successive pairs corresponds in this case to the length of the longitudinal members 3 utilized for completing the frame structure.

According to an essential feature characterizing this invention, the cross members 2 consisting of elements separate from the uprights 1 are adapted to be assembled therewith in the same manner as the longitudinal member 3, i.e., by using anchoring or suspension lugs carried by the ends of said cross members.

According to another feature characterizing this invention, each upright 1 consists of a tubular section closed completely on itself, in contrast to the hitherto currently employed open section. The cross sectional configuration of this tubular section is generally rectangular. Under these conditions, this section comprises two opposite major faces 4a, 4b, and two opposite minor faces 5a, 5b.

Moreover, this section has formed centrally of its major faces 4a, 4b a waisted portion constituting on the inside a pair of longitudinal stiffening ribs adapted to reinforce the section, so that the latter has a substantially 8 -shaped configuration in cross-section. Under these conditions, the two major faces 4a and 4b of this upright are formed throughout their length with central longitudinal grooves 6a and 6b.

The width E1 of each minor face of the same section is equal to the width E2 of each one of the two portions of each major face which are separated by said external groove 6a or 6b (see FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 1, the uprights 1 are adapted to be assembled with their minor faces 5a, 5b parallel to the front face and rear face of the frame structure, respectively.

Each face of said uprights 1 comprises one or two series of perforations adapted to be engaged by anchoring lugs provided at the end of the longitudinal members and cross members.

Thus, the minor faces 5a and 5b of said uprights are formed with a single series of perforations 7 disposed at a predetermined pitch. On the other hand the major faces 4a, 4b are each formed with two series of identical perforations denoted 8, 9, 10, and 11 respectively, and disposed on either side of the aforesaid central groove 6a, 6b.

Each longitudinal member 3 consists advantageously of a closed tubular section for example of substantially rectangular configuration in cross-section. At either end this section comprises a fastening corner plate 12 having one wing 12a secured thereto for example by welding in a plane across the axis of said section. The other wing 12b of this corner plate extends parallel to the axis of the corresponding longitudinal member and is coplanar with one of the vertical faces thereof.

In fact, when the corresponding end of this longitudinal member is secured to an upright 1, this second wing 12b of corner plate 12 is adapted to engage the minor front face of said upright. The other wing 12a of corner plate 12 is thus caused to engage the adjacent portion of the major lateral face 4b of the same upright.

In fact, the width of longitudinal members 3 corresponds substantially to that of each one of the two portions of said major faces 4a, 4b of uprights 1. The cross members 2 have the same width so that they corresponds to the width of the minor faces 5a and 5b of said uprights.

Lugs 13 are provided on the wing 12b of said fastening corner plate 12 for positioning and securing the longitudinal members 3, said lugs engaging to this end perforations 7 formed in the minor front face 5a of the corresponding upright 1.

Preferably, the wing 12b of the aforesaid fastening corner plate comprise a pair of anchoring lugs 13 disposed in superposed relationship with a mutual distance corresponding to the pitch of the upright perforations. To this end, the height or vertical dimension of the assembling corner plates is greater than that of longitudinal members 3.

However, if desired a greater number of anchoring lugs or, alternatively, a single anchoring lug on each projecting wing 12b of said corner plates, may be provided. These anchoring lugs may be formed by cutting and punching operations.

On the other hand, the projecting wing 12b of each fastening corner plate is formed with an in-turned end ledge 14 adapted to fit over the corresponding edge of an upright 1 when each longitudinal member is properly positioned. Under these conditions, the longitudinal members are safely held against motion on the uprights 1.

As already mentioned in the foregoing the cross members 2 are provided with anchoring or assembling means identical with those provided at the ends of said longitudinal members 3. In fact, these cross members, which may also consist each of a tubular section, are provided at either end with a fastening corner plate 12 of which the projecting wing 12b carries a pair of anchoring lugs 13. Moreover, this projecting wing carries an end ledge 14.

When one of these cross members is properly positioned on an upright 1 the wing 12a of its corresponding fastening corner plate 12 engages the minor front or rear face of this upright. On the other hand the projecting wing 12b engages the portion adjacent the major face 4a or 4b of this upright and the anchoring lugs 13 of this wing engage the corresponding perforations.

Furthermore, the end ledge 14 is engaged in the groove 6a or 6b of the corresponding major lateral face of upright 1. Under these conditions, the resulting assembly is as sturdy as that obtained with the longitudinal members 3.

Of course, the uprights 1 of a same pair are assembled by means of at least two cross members 2. However, a greater number of interconnecting cross members disposed at spaced intervals along the uprights 1 may be provided, if desired.

As to the longitudinal members 3, they are disposed at proper levels and/or spacing to constitute horizontal rails for supporting the pallets carrying the loads to be stored.

It is therefore necessary that the longitudinal members disposed on the front and rear faces of the frame structure lie at a same level, so that each storage level comprises a single front longitudinal member and a single rear longitudinal member. However, due to the specific configuration of the uprights 1 of the frame structure of this invention, the number of these longitudinal members may be doubled in case heavy loads are to be supported thereby. In fact, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, two longitudinal members 3 may be disposed side by side with their end corner plates 12 adapted to fit over the two end edges of a same lateral face of each upright.

This constitutes a particularly advantageous feature of the frame structure of this invention. In fact, it permits of dispensing with the use of longitudinal members of different types having characteristics consistent with the magnitude of the loads to be supported.

Thus, with the present invention it is possible, in case of substantial load increment, to use either one or two longitudinal members at the front and rear faces of the structure.

The specific configuration of the uprights 1 of this invention is also advantageous in that the frame structure can be extended at will in the front-to-rear or depth direction. Now in hitherto known structures intended for the same purpose this extension is definitely precluded, since said prior art structures comprise ladders not designed for mutual assembling in succession across the frame structure. In fact, said prior art devices can be extend only in the lateral direction of the frame structure.

In contrast thereto, and as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the device of this invention can be extended without difficulty in a direction across the front or rear face of the frame structure since a same upright is adapted to receive cross members 2a disposed in opposition to the cross members 2 already secured thereto, so that this intermediate upright can be connected to a third upright disposed behind it, for instance. By applying the same procedure to the uprights of the other pairs of a same frame structure the latter can be extended by another row in the front-to-rear or depth direction.

Under these conditions, the resulting frame structure can be loaded and unloaded from both faces. Therefore, separate pallets may be stored in the two rows of this frame structure since the number of longitudinal members disposed between the intermediate uprights can be doubled.

However, it is also possible to construct frame structures extended indefinitely in the depth or front-to-rear direction, inasmuch as such structure may have any practical function or advantage.

On the other hand, it is clear that the frame structure according to this invention can be extended widthwise by anchoring to each upright 1 longitudinal members 3 extending in opposite directions but at different levels, or secured at different points to said upright.

The device according to this invention may also comprise longitudinal members of different lengths in order to modify at will the width of the "bays" of the frame structure. However, due to the fact that the cross members are detachable, it is also possible to modify at will the depth of each row by providing cross members of different lengths.

Now this constitutes a substantial advantage in comparison with prior art devices comprising constant-width ladders.

Another advantageous feature resulting from the substitution of separate or sectional elements for said prior art ladders lies in the fact that the complete device has smaller overall dimensions when its component elements are taken down.

Now this constitutes an obvious advantage from the dual point of view of storage and transport and handling of the device of this invention.

On the other hand, the frame structure according to this invention is advantageous in that it is extremely sturdy, due mainly to the particular configuration of the uprights of this device.

In fact, the uprights 1 are utilized in a favorable direction from the standpoint of inertia. Their cross-sectional configuration is such that they are extremely strong, considering their orientation. Under these conditions, the uprights according to this invention have a very satisfactory resistance to flexion stress, whereby the use of tie rods, cross-bracing means and the like usually required for reinforcing transverse ladders can safely be dispensed with.

Besides, the shape and specific arrangement of the uprights as described and illustrated herein are advantageous in that their overall dimensions are somewhat reduced widthwise, so that a gain in floor space is achieved.

As already mentioned in the foregoing the frame structure of this invention is intended more particularly for supporting loaded pallets to be stored. However, it will readily occur to those conversant with the art that the frame structures obtained by using the elements of this invention lend themselves to many other applications.

Claims

What I claim is:

1. A sectional frame structure for the storage of palletized loads, and the like, comprising:

a series of vertical uprights adapted to be disposed by pairs with one upright of the pair on the front face and the other upright on the rear face of the frame structure, and consisting of tubular sections having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional contour closed on itself, these uprights being adapted to be disposed with their minor faces on the front face of the structure, said uprights formed with a waisted portion centrally of their major faces to form two longitudinal stiffening inner reinforcing ribs and two corresponding external grooves dividing said major faces into two separate strips, said strips each having a series of perforations disposed at spaced intervals thereon to constitute two vertical rows of perforations on the major faces of each upright, said minor faces of each upright having thereon a single vertical series of spaced perforations,

a series of transverse members interconnecting the two uprights of a same pair, consisting of elements separate from said uprights and provided at either end with an angle member adapted to fit on one edge of the minor face of a vertical upright, each said angle member having a wing, said wing projecting parallel to the corresponding transverse member and having anchoring lugs adapted to engage the perforations of one of the rows formed in one of the major faces of said vertical uprights, and

a series of rectilinear elements adapted to constitute longitudinal members on the front face and the rear face of said structure, respectively, between the uprights of two adjacent pairs, the ends of said longitudinal members being provided with an angle member adapted to fit on one of the edges of one of the major faces of said vertical uprights, each said angle member having a wing and anchoring lugs on the wing, said wing extending parallel to each longitudinal member, said lugs being adapted to engage the perforations formed in the minor faces of said vertical uprights.

2. The frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the width of said longitudinal members corresponds substantially to that of each one of the two strips of the major faces of said vertical uprights divided by said central external groove, such that two such longitudinal members can be disposed in side by side and parallel relationship at the same level between two successive uprights.

3. The frame structure according to claim 2, wherein: the width of said transverse members is substantially equal to that of the minor faces of said uprights, and the width of the minor faces of said uprights is substantially equal to that of each one of said portions of said major faces separated by a central groove.

4. The frame structure according to claim 3, wherein each angle member provided at the ends of the transverse members and at the ends of said longitudinal members respectively comprises an in-turned lip on the side opposite to the relevant longitudinal member or angle member, said lip being adapted to fit one of the edges of the face engaged by said corresponding cross member or longitudinal member.

5. The frame structure according to claim 3, wherein each angle member provided at the ends of the transverse members and at the ends of said longitudinal members respectively comprises an in-turned lip on the side opposite to the relevant longitudinal member or angle member, said lip being adapted to engage said central groove of the major face of the upright engaged by the end of the corresponding cross member or longitudinal member.